Tuesday, June 30, 2015

The Sartorialist by Cecilia Ryan

This is SO different from my usual reads. Even if I've read a few Historical Romance novels in the past, mostly MM. The way it was written, from George Beau Brummel POV as a sort of memoir of his past made is one of the reasons, but also just the way he described things and the importance he gave to the little impressions of life. 

I can't and won't do this short novella justice. I know I simply can't. It was funny and witty, and of a time I know nothing about (which usually means my ability to understand the nuances is much slimmer - not really in this case) but it was also sensitive, sweet and yeah, quite heart breaking.

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Merger by Cecilia Ryan

So so short yet beautiful beyond words! Whenever I add another of Cecilia's novellas into my "Read" pile I look longingly at her GoodReads page and wish for another book to appear, yet at the moment it seems there are no new material since 2012. It really makes me sad because I only have two novellas left..

It doesn't even make sense to me to be over emotional about a character I've only just "met" something like 2 pages ago. Yet this is exactly Cecilia magic way with words. The relationship between Owen and Carter was heart clutching from the start. There was something there that drew me into the characters' life and all I wanted was for them to realize just how much they mean to one another. 


Saturday, June 27, 2015

Ride the Fire (Firefighters of Station Five #5) [Sean & Eve] by Jo Davis

I waited for this installment for SO long, ever since the first book where we were introduced to Sean Tanner and his grim past and grimmer present. Also I was very intrigued as with how it will work between him and Eve Marshal and not only because he is actually her boss. Being the only female firefighter can be difficult I"m sure but also harboring a HUGE crush on her boss (even before he was available) can't be easy.. then seeing him ripped to pieces by lose and being (almost) unable to pull himself together while not being able to actually DO anything to help is also heart crushing. 

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Line of Fire (Firefighters of Station Five #4) [Tommy & Shea] by Jo Davis

I didn't really care for this book.. There was something wrong, I'm not sure what, but it didn't feel like the books before it, or I should dare say, didn't read like the same author wrote them all.. It was cheesy beyond words, I couldn't get or care for both Tommy and Shea (together or alone) and after making myself read about a third I started skimming. I really wanted to know what's the story with the arsonist and what's going on with Sean (preparation for the next book) but if it was a stand alone novel it would have been a sure DNF.


Saturday, June 20, 2015

Hidden Fire (Firefighters of Station Five #3) [Julian & Grace] by Jo Davis

What a BEAUTIFUL ride. I enjoyed this one SO much. Another one of those it's impossible to put aside. The suspense side is VERY dark and I think it's even better we didn't get all the horrible details.. some things were left for our imagination which was a good thing in my mind.. we had everything we needed in the suspense and a sweet rather slow developing romance (from Grace's side at least). I think making it darker with abuse wouldn't have added anything good to the story. It was there all the time, it was frightening which is part of what made this one so engaging. I liked both Julian Salvatore and Grace McKenna from the start. Since this is the third installment we got enough of them to get the gist of who they are - He the eternal gigolo and she the ice queen.

Friday, June 19, 2015

Under Fire (Firefighters of Station Five #2) [Zack & Corrie] by Jo Davis

I enjoyed this book, but I have to say, the first installment was much better. I"m not even sure why. But I felt less "sticky" about it if it makes any sense. I mean, when I'm obsessed with a book, my hands feel glued to the kindle, not being able to un-glue them to handle everyday life and putting the book aside almost feels like "withdrawal", as in "must-get-back-to-my-book" whenever life gets in my way of my reading. With this one, life DID get in my way of my reading (quite a lot!) but I wasn't as obsessed with it as I was with the first installment, I like both MC but much more the heroine than the hero who I didn't really "get". With Howard "Six-Pack", hell, he can be my book boyfriend FOREVER, but Zack? he's a nice enough guy I guess but maybe a tad too sensitive and not enough "in tune" with himself. Cori on the other hand was strong, capable, she had enough dark days in her past to know what she wants now and is determined to get it (Zack included).

Monday, June 15, 2015

Trial By Fire (Firefighters of Station Five #1) [Howard & Kat] by Jo Davis

WOW! What a ride. It's difficult to start at the beginning, when all I can think about is the last hour or so of the book where I couldn't move from terror and anxiety. This book had it all. It has a beautiful heart warming romance, even though it was fast progressing it felt very genuine. The connection between the two MC - Howard "Six-Pack" Paxton and Kat McKenna - was very real, with realistic difficulties. Neither of them is perfect but I guess relationship-wise Howard had a lot to learn. Besides the romance we had the suspense - someone trying to kill Howard but first making his suffer putting literally in the line of fire people Howard cares about. It was chilling getting not only Kat and Howard's POV but the killer as well! 

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Bad Ex Karma by Donna Cummings

About two years ago, when I started my account on GoodReads I read a fantastic Anthology that introduced me to new favorite authors. It was then that I read more by Donna, short novellas as well as a VERY entertaining full novel - "I Do.. or Die" which I remember made me literally roll on the floor laughing. So even though it's "been a while" I had great expectations from this novel. I was really waiting for the release and bought it the day it was out (actually in the middle of an electricity break at work.. always productive!) and then I opened the book and started reading and nothing made sense.


Thursday, June 11, 2015

Fallin' in Love (Seasons of Love #2) by Donna Cummings

This novella is separated into two parts, the first being "Fallin' in Love" and the second being a holiday bonus called "'Tis the Season" also of Mia and Luke. 

The novellas show the progression of Mia and Luke relationship and the fun they are having with one another as well as with "Hellboy" the dog - trying to decide were his home is where Sondra and her husband lives (Mia's friends) or with Luke and Mia (When she is around). 

Summer Lovin' (Seasons of Love #1) by Donna Cummings

This is a short sweet summer fling with a hint for more. Mia and Luke meet when Mia is babysitting her friend Sondra's dog for two weeks. They are both instantly attracted to one another yet in the beginning they see things differently, Mia not wanting to have a short fling, not being "the type" for those, and Luke wanting two weeks off his life in general, having a good time with someone sexy and fun. With the attraction they have for one another it doesn't take long for both to have their own change of heart. 

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Make It Last (Bowler University #3) [Cam Ruiz & Tate Ellison] by Megan Erickson

The final installment in The Bowler University series was very sweet yet felt a bit lacking somehow.. I wanted it to be more, there was a lot going on in the background with both Cam and Tate's families but it "faded to black" mostly, not really dealing with anything that is going on with them. Also the ending felt more of a "Happy For Now" than a true "Happily Ever After". I'm usually one that is satisfied with the couple being together "against the odds", it's not a must for me to have them married or with kids or something like that. I just want to really know that the struggle is behind them. In this one it didn't feel this way, especially with what they have to deal with in the near future (not saying what not to spoiler..) 

Friday, June 5, 2015

Mate (Halloween Howl) by Cecilia Ryan

Sweet, extremely short scene between Logan and Richard. Logan acting up his Halloween costume - a wolf. It was sweet and sexy and even though it was short and had a sex scene in it, I could actually feel the connection / real relationship between the too. 

Make It Right (Bowler University #2) [Max Payton & Lea Travers] by Megan Erickson

This was a beautiful love story. Loved both MC. While we didn't get a really good impression of Max in the previous installment, in this one, getting his POV we understand what he is going through and how hard it is for him to be who he wants to be when he is discouraged by his family, or rather expected to be / do something he doesn't want. He is truly a tender heart guy, SO sweet yet all his life people expected him to be strong, show no weakness and be "the man". Lea isn't impressed with that, she is warmed by who she sees he can be when no one is looking, when he tends to a stray cat or bakes him home made biscuits. 

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Make it Count (Bowler University #1) [Kat Caruso & Alec Stone] by Megan Erickson

This book started AMAZING. I was hooked from the first page and just didn't want to put it down. I loved both MC from the start - Kat Caruso is feisty and fun but she is also so humanly fragile with her insecurities. Alec Stone on the other hand was just so damn sweet! He is a geek, the kind that studies and excels but there is much more to him than just being a brainiac. Firstly he is genuinely a nice person (so is Kat!) he cares about his friends, he cares for Kat when he sees how much she struggles. I loved the fact that though they come from a different background it wasn't something that took center stage or was actually barely mentioned in comparison to one another. 

Monday, June 1, 2015

A Symphony of Echoes by Cecilia Ryan

This short novella was utterly beautiful. One of THE best tender romance novels I've EVER read. I have to say, from the first page, it was a 5 star rating for me. Even though the general story seems not only cliche but "wrong" - a professor falling for his student? 

But hold your horses here! It's not what you think! It's everything else! It's a love story between a man that is hungry to love and a younger man who doesn't even know what a warm and loving gesture is. Both main characters were so beautifully portrayed, though we only get Eric's POV (the professor). Arthur is very insecure about himself, surely about his sexuality and what he actually wants from Eric, but as Eric only wants to give what Arthur is willing to get the progression of their relationship is heart warming, tender and just, perfect!